It may not seem like Chicago needs another midfielder, but according to reports in the midwest, they’re about to get one. The Fire look set to send attacker Dominic Oduro to Columbus for Dilly Duka, with the Columbus Dispatch reporting the deal is done.

The Fire has already acquired Jeff Larentowicz and Joel Lindpere this offseason, with holdovers Daniel Paladini, Wells Thompson, Alex, and the seemingly right back-bound Logan Pause already forcing Frank Klopas into some improvised solutions. Decisions about how to use attackers like Patrick Nyarko and Chris Rolfe also get pulled into this crowded picture, with Designated Player Sherjill MacDonald likely to be Klopas’s first choice up top.

That crunch is part of the reason Oduro’s moving on. The Ghanian attacker exploded for 12 goals in 2604 minutes after coming over from Houston in 2011, but with more competition for spots in 2012, Oduro slipped to six goals and 1823 minutes.

Though Oduro is four years older than Duka, this seems like a shrewd acquisition for Columbus. Oduro may be the perfect type of guy to come in and spell either Federico Higuaín or Jairo Arrieta, Columbus’s first choice attackers. He’s been far more productive than Duka while making almost the same amount of money (something that may be different for the coming season). While he can’t replace Higuaín’s playmaking ability, he does allow Robert Warzycha to maintain a viable attacking tandem when the Argentine is out.

The main things Columbus give up are youth and promise, but it may be worth it. Duka has provided glimpses of somebody who could provide a needed spark to Columbus’s midfield, but he never established a consistent place in the team (averaging 21 appearances over the last two seasons).

Chicago seems willing to gamble that the talent that made him a U.S. U-20 regular four years ago can still come good. If it doesn’t, Chicago’s merely added to their midfield logjam.

I like Odura for a 2nd string/3rd option striker to change things up and occasionally start. He’s a speedster with ok finishing ability, not so great in the air and not all that technically gifted. Duka on the other hand is in need of improvement, but as a young player going into his 3rd (?) pro season is just now getting close to his potential. It’s a move also that makes sense for both clubs.

From stories here (iirc) it seemed Duka wasn’t happy and had his representation push for the change. Apparently it wasn’t too messy, but this cropped up during the season last year (maybe before), and Duka maintained a level of professionalism and the club saw it in both their best interest to deal him. That’s a little fact and a little ‘between the lines’, at least from what I’ve gleaned.

Europe? Really? What game did you see that I missed? Duka has FAR less to offer Europe than Robbie Rodgers did and I thought it was a joke that Rodgers went over. Duka is 23 going on 12. First, he threw a tantrum that he wasn’t getting playing time as a rookie. Okay, you can excuse a guy his first year, he’s making the adjustment to being a pro. Second, he milks every injury. My eighty two year old dad recovers faster than this guy does.Chad and Andy would play with an arm amputated. Dilly has be at a 100%. Third, the dude thinks he’s a HELL of a lot better than he is. Does he have some talent? Sure, but he seems to think he’s elite. He demands the ball when he’s not open and then turns around and makes an unforced turnover. Fourth, he’s 23 and his MOM is calling the team to demand to know why her son isn’t seeing more playing time?!? Does she kiss his boo-boos when he comes off the field? I’m sorry, man, that’s just inexcusable and unprofessional. The Duka trade HAD to happen. Can Dilly be an impact player someday? Maybe, he does have some raw talent. But he needs to grow the f**k up. When you’re a kid making almost a quarter of a million on a small market team, you need to put up numbers. Dilly never did. I wish him well in Chicago. I hope he grows from the experience. But he had NO value to Columbus anymore except as trade bait.